Nigeria summons South African envoy over attacks on its nationals

There has been a wave of anti-migrant protests in South Africa, some of which have turned violent. Nigeria summons South African envoy over attacks on its nationals Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The 'March and March' demonstration in Johannesburg in April called for all illegal foreign immigrants to leave the country Two people stand, waving South African flags, draped in other flags, and wearing hats, on a sunny day on the street. Nigeria has summoned South Africa's acting High Commissioner over a spate of recent attacks on foreigners in the southern African nation. Nigeria will formally convey its "profound concern" at a meeting on Monday over incidents in South Africa, saying they could affect existing relations between the countries, according to a foreign ministry statement. Nigeria will formally convey its "profound concern" at a meeting on Monday over incidents in South Africa, saying they could affect existing relations between the countries, according to a foreign ministry statement The meeting will focus on recent marches held by anti-immigrant groups and "documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses", it said. At least two Nigerians and four Ethiopians have been killed in recent weeks, local media reported, while there have been attacks on citizens of other African countries. As Africa's most industrialised country, people from elsewhere in the continent have long travelled to South Africa to seek work. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks but also cautioned foreigners to respect local laws. He used his Freedom Day address last week - marking the country's first democratic elections in 1994 - to remind South Africans of the support other African nations had given in the struggle against the racist system of apartheid. But some South Africans accuse foreigners of being in the county illegally, taking jobs from locals and having links to crime, especially drugs trafficking. Anti-immigrant groups have been stopping people outside hospitals and schools demanding to see their identity papers. During a march by one such group in the capital, Pretoria, last week, foreign-owned businesses were urged to close in case of violence. During a march by one such group in the capital, Pretoria, last week, foreign-owned businesses were urged to close in case of violence At the time, one Nigerian man told BBC Pidgin: "It is not okay because we are blacks, we are brothers... everybody comes here just to survive." A security guard, who was unable to go to work because of the protest, told the BBC: "It's not what we expected as fellow Africans." "It's just making us scared - imagine if we're scared in our own African continent - what if we go to Europe?" he asked. A head and shoulders shot of the leader of Operation Dudula. 'We have to prioritise South Africans': Anti-migrant movement blocks foreigners from healthcare Zandile Dabula, Operation Dudula president The uniformed group targeting foreigners in South Africa Last month, Ghana summoned South Africa's top envoy after a video was widely shared showing a Ghanaian man being challenged to prove he had the correct immigration papers. after a video was widely shared showing a Ghanaian man being challenged to prove he had the correct immigration papers. Anti-immigrant sentiment rose earlier this year after reports that the head of the Nigerian community in the port city of KuGompo (formerly East London) had been installed in a traditional role that can be translated as "king". Some South Africans in the local area saw this as an attempt to grab political power. Anti-immigrant sentiment rose earlier this year after reports that the head of the Nigerian community in the port city of KuGompo (formerly East London) in a traditional role that can be translated as "king". Some South Africans in the local area saw this as an attempt to grab political power. South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, just less than 4% of the population, according to official figures. However, many more are thought to be in the country unofficially. Most come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a history of providing migrant labour to their wealthy neighbour. A smaller number come from Nigeria. Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo in Johannesburg South Africans are seen picketing outside Nigeria's High Commission in Pretoria following the recognition of a Nigerian national as the leader of the Igbo people in East London Nigeria warns its citizens in South Africa to be cautious after march turns violent Misuzulu kaZwelithini sits on a throne and waves in his royal regalia, including animal skins and black ostrich feathers. His jewellery includes a silver lion ring and necklaces that include animal teeth. The king's speech - and why it has foreigners in South Africa worried Julius Malema is seen in his signature red overall in parliament What next for South African opposition firebrand Malema after his five-year prison sentence? A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The solar-powered iLamps will have a built-in Nvidia chip but there are questions over their security and scalability. Diezani Alison-Madueke is accused of being treated to luxury home stays and lavish spending sprees in the UK, which she denies. South Africa's president says people's concerns should not "breed... hatred towards fellow Africans". More than 100 gangs are operating nationwide as the growing use of political thugs raises fears of election violence. It is the second time an oil tanker has been hijacked in the area in the past 10 days. Oral history traces a family's roots to a tree planted in the 13th Century in a Ghanaian fishing town. The former leader has not responded to US accusations that he is aiming to destabilise the government. The zero-tariff regime gives China's soft power a boost, but may lead to uneven gains, say analysts.